Between Two Turrets - Chat with Player Relations Dude CapnBranFlakes! (COMPLETED)

RiotZwill·9/9/2015, 6:50:24 PM·16 votes·64,825 views

http://imgur.com/QHIK8xs

Welcome to the latest installment of Between Two Turrets, a Q&A series through which we connect you with various Rioters to chat about League, life, and anything in between. You can expect an installment every couple weeks or so, with Rioters from all over jumping in to spend some time with you on the Boards.

This week, we’ve got Community / Player Relations dude CapnBranFlakes!

Annnnnnd we're done for today folks! Brandon will be checking back periodically over the next week for more questions!


Howdy y'all!

I'm Brandon Felczer and I'm a Community/ Central Player Relations embed on the client update project. What does Player Relations do? I hope someone asks during this session so we can chat more about it (hint: I'm on the same community team as Pwyff and Scarizard)! A TL;DR, though: we work with Rioters around the world to get you context on everything coming out, keep the conversation flowing even after big reveals, help follow up on global feedback, and more.

Aside from the fun here at Riot, as you can probably tell from my photo, I'm a huge Star Trek fan. I actually got my start in the gaming industry working on Star Trek Online, but not before being a member of its community. I'd be happy to share my story of how I went from a gamer to a professional in the gaming industry if you guys are interested and have questions. #NeverGiveUp #FollowYourDreams

I'm also openly gay, was just married last year to my husband, and we're about to celebrate our 10-year anniversary. I know some of you are going through your own journeys so if you've got questions about what it's like being out in the gaming community and industry, feel free to ask.

In addition to STO, I love playing League, Hearthstone, The Sims, and a ton of console games. I'm also super into traveling, music, food, food, and more food. What are you guys into?

I'm really looking forward to getting to know you all, so... let's chat! :)

Cheers,

Brandon

190 Comments

Moobeat9/9/2015, 6:54:06 PM14 votes

What is an average day at Riot like for you?

Mârty9/9/2015, 7:09:00 PM11 votes

How dank are your memes?

R2D209/9/2015, 6:55:41 PM7 votes

Player relations, so are you like, inside our minds?

PT Waluigi9/9/2015, 7:15:34 PM7 votes
  1. Favorite Project skin?
  2. Favorite Champion / skin concept by fans?
  3. What is your greatest achievement (in your opinion) at Riot Games
  4. How did you get yourself into Riot Games.
  5. Your favorite counter to a "yo mama" joke
  6. And finally, do you take your hot dogs with ketchup or mustard (that's not gay joke btw)
lostbob1179/9/2015, 6:59:19 PM4 votes

How has ranked been going for you?

WEAKROB9/9/2015, 9:59:15 PM4 votes

what was it like coming out to your parents?

  • I know this has nothing to do w/ the gaming community but i'm gay as well and i know for me it still is a really hard time and i can't even bring it up in conv. (i'm 16)
Avik Watching9/9/2015, 8:01:31 PM2 votes

just want to say thank you for all the hard work.

Helmight9/9/2015, 7:01:01 PM2 votes

Nice to meetcha, Capn. If you wouldn't mind me asking, how'd you get a job working at Riot?

disregardable9/9/2015, 7:06:59 PM2 votes

Just a bunch random questions.

  • Would a Community/ Player Relations specialist know anything about Riot's support? Because I'd be really curious as to how the team feels copy-paste support currently is working and if there are plans for future improvement.

  • What kind of global feedback does the team follow up on?

  • I don't see you around -too- often on the boards. Which kinds of topics do you like most; what do you love about the boards in particular?

  • How do you choose which posts to respond to?

  • Which Sims game do you like the most? Are you more into live mode or are you more of a builder? If you keep up with the sims community, favorite simmer?

  • What inspired you to apply to work at Riot?

RlCARDO MlLOS9/9/2015, 7:09:04 PM2 votes

What is your favorite type of water?

Sammo9/9/2015, 7:13:50 PM2 votes

3 questions if you please: What do people (rioters) in player relations do? Wanna duo queue? :D, I'll jungle for you! And do you know anything about the upcoming Taric/ Poppy rework? If yes you should share! Thanks for your time.

Ovaettr9/9/2015, 7:43:04 PM2 votes

Congratulations on the 10 years! That is so amazing.

My questions include...

  • When did you come out in your professional sphere, if you do not mind me asking ? Were there any troubles you faced during or after doing so?

  • Do you feel the gaming industry is getting safer for those of us who are LGBTQIAP+? (I am non-binary and pan, and worry about this a lot because I do not want to not be out when I get into the industry!)

  • What was your first opportunity in the gaming industry that gave you the bridge between gamer to industry?

Sorry if it was too many questions. Thank you so much for opening this discussion. You rock! :)

Swizzle9/9/2015, 9:58:04 PM2 votes

I see that you like Star Trek who is your favorite?

Yoda or Harry potter?

SoloQueOnly9/10/2015, 7:55:59 AM2 votes

Is Riot Games going to make another major game soon?

Pro King Boo9/9/2015, 8:27:52 PM1 votes

Hey :D just wanted to stop by and say hello! _ how do you interact with players? how do you convey and convince them to stop being toxic or help them on small problems?

Slickj29/9/2015, 10:28:46 PM1 votes

Great story, Capn. Bran flakes is a classic cereal. Always will be.

Anyways, I do have a question. I love league. Not only the gameplay, but the story behind it. That's how I look at most games. I know getting into the Video Game industry with a half decent job is hard, but that's the path I'm considering. I want to be more on the side of storyboarding. You know, writing the story, developing characters, subplots...anything that makes the game actually interesting. Your story inspires me, so is that a path I should take, is it worth it? Cause like if I could sit down and create a storyline for a game like WoW or Fallout...I would legit cry panda tears. item 3070

Faeri Pinkett9/10/2015, 5:18:43 AM1 votes

is the asking questions finished? If not:

I'm a Gaymer also! One of my things though is that I tend to fail at relationships pretty harshly and as of such, the result just tends to be that no matter what happens all relationships fail.

I think the ones that always last the longest for me are when the other person plays league with me, can riot develop a dating app so i don't have to ask every random gay guy I find on the street " DO YOU PLAY LEAGUE ER LEGGEEEENDS?"

XD <3

abigamerxxx9/23/2015, 8:59:41 AM1 votes

can riot gift us free mistery box.(-_-)

Whisper Centurys9/22/2015, 9:34:09 PM1 votes

Starting from when you first started talking to people like us... What was the funniest conversation you've ever had...

Eggbait9/9/2015, 8:40:49 PM1 votes

Howdy! Couple of questions:

First, what's your educational background? I'm curious as to what skills/subjects you need to study in order to work in this kind of job.

Secondly, who's your favorite champion?

Thirdly, how has being openly gay had an effect your career/as a gamer thusfar?

abigamerxxx9/23/2015, 8:58:52 AM1 votes

can riot give a free mystery box to us.(-_-)